Examples of Filipino Salawikan

Filipinos like wise sayings. Filipino Salawikan are maxims that reflect the culture of the Filipinos. They are poetic sayings that speak of values, virtues and truths of life. They reflect the culture of the Philippines specifically the thought of the Filipinos. Philippine salawikain also reflects the richness of Philippine literature. They date back to the original Filipino natives who lived before the colonization of the Philippines.

A very popular example is this:

Aanhin pa ang damo
kung patay na ang kabayo.

In English it means:

what is the use of grass
if the horse that will eat it is dead.

This means that we have to know the important things and focus our lives on them. It is a reminder to value life more than material things. This Filipino salawikan reflects the value of Filipinos in things that really matter

Another example is this:

Matibay ang walis
the magkabigkis of palibhasa.

In English, it means:

The broom is sturdy.
Because it is strongly linked.

It reflects the Filipino culture of being together. Emphasizes teamwork and mutual help. Individualism is not a value in the Philippines. Filipinos are family oriented. They want to do things together. It reflects the “Bayanihan” philosophy of the Filipinos. Bayanihan means that everyone in the community helps even without payment.

One more example is this:

Bahay mo man oh bato
kung tumitara’y kuwago
mabuti pa ang isang kubo
na ang nakatira ay tao.

In English it means:

Even if the house is big, if the inhabitant is an owl
It is better to have a small hut.
whose inhabitants are true caring people.

This Filipino salawikain means that it is better to live in a simple house with real people who care about you than in a very big mansion. This reflects Filipino values ​​for meaningful human interaction. It reflects the values ​​of Filipinos who reject materialism.

Filipino salawikain are wise, poetic and beautiful sayings. It has existed even before the Spanish and American colonization of the Philippines. It reflects the wisdom, values ​​and culture of the native Filipinos.